Fresh allegations of N5.8 billion have emerged in Ministry of Power, Work and House (MPWH) and Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). This was disclosed during Wednesday plenary at the Senate by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West.
The Senator who draws his inspiration from order 42 of the Senate standing rule said the BPP got a letter from MPWH for the award of construction of 10 roads and bridges in first batch 2016 budget. He added that agency also received another letter for the construction of 13 roads and bridges in the second batch of the 2016 budget.
Melaye further stated that the ministry sent another letter to BPP to give no certificate of objection to the 10 companies who bided for the projects. He said the contract was later awarded to different companies at inflated rate. “The 10 roads and bridges was awarded at N12.8 billion against the initial N11 billion and the contract for the 13 roads and bridges was awarded N14 billion against N10 billion as initially recommended by the ministry” Melaye said.
The Senator, who supported his allegation with all communication between the MPWH and BPP, added that it is the responsibility of lawmakers to continue exposing corruption in government. “Our responsibility is to continue to expose corruption. In a situation like this, one expected that those stealing government money should stop stealing” Melaye added.
In his ruling on the point of order, the Senate President Bukola Saraki put the debate of the matter into vote and it was unanimously accepted by the legislators that the issue be discussed on Thursday sitting.
